Character: Dia Kurosawa
Series: Love Live! Sunshine
Version: Kimi no Kokoro
Debut: Anime Expo 2016
When you find out Aqours is going to be a guest at AnimeExpo you have no chill. That is the story of this costume. From announcement to cosplay group was probably a few hours but it took us a week or two to decide exactly what project to tackle. Since the group was still so new they lacked an extensive costume wardrobe. There were only 2 PVs at the time, promo images for the anime had come out and there were a few casual clothes outfits from Dengeki G. After a bit of back and forth we all decided it was go big or go home and while none of us were in love with Kimi no Kokoro it was doable. I am SO GLAD we did these! Now that I have the costume I love the way they look in person.
Most of my cosplay group for this project were on the west coast and they all had about 3 weeks after their local con, Fanime, was over before AX. I unfortunately had A-Kon a full week after putting me down to 2 weeks to complete this project. It was manageable for me because Sparkle Pipsi spearheaded the effort and sent skirt patterns and supplies out so a lot of the planning was taken care of. You don’t realize how much time that takes until you don’t have to do it. She also made the groups neck ties/bows, hip bows and bracelets.
The construction on this was pretty simple, especially since the pattern was already planned out. The bodice is a princess seam sleeveless bodice and the skirt is a circle skirt with 1″ pleats at each color change. The designs for the skirt were all appliqued using heat n bond and a zig zag stitch. The designs on the bodice were sewn into the bodice seams. The collar is a separate piece that attaches to the front with snaps. All of these pieces are made with matte satin. The waist cincher was drafted based on the bodice pattern and has 2 full circle skirt pieces in purple and white. It zips up in the back via invisible zipper.
Thanks to everyone’s efforts we had nearly a full group of Aquors to greet the real girls. I like to think they saw us in the audience at their special panel. I was also lucky enough to get a meet n greet ticket to meet Arisha in the costume. I had about 10 seconds with her so I told her I made it for her and then almost died. ?
Aqours AX 2016:
Dia: Me
Chika: Sparkle Pipsi
Riko: Daydreamer Nessa
You: Barracuda
Mari: Maryssaraptor
Kanan: Nightkinks
Yoshiko: Kaeatri
Photos: Soul Drive, PhotoPersuasion, FilmShooter